Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-08
THE BLACK ROSE.

II any one had said q year ago that /
would ever have run through the driving
snow and storm after black rose, l GER
Jalniy would have declared that person to
be bcreft of ordinary intelligence; but
now =! could very appropriately ask myself
If / were in full possession of my mental
powers, for only few days since l went
all over the city anXiously endeavoring to
purchase one, regardless of cost-because
Eveline had expressed a desire to have
one. She deprived me of my judgment,
with her bewitching smile, her meaning
chances, her great deep eyes, the graceful
poise OF her head, and her beautiful,
majestic shoulders. She entrapped me in
a net woven from thousand fascinating,
insnaring threads in which she drew me
whittier she would, and on that occasion
She drew me after the black rose.
l do not know exactly how it came
about. I have always been such quiet,
thoughtful man, and falling in love was
the last thing | would have thought of
doing; but at the fateful ball, exactly one
year ago, when | saw her in that yellow
satin bodice, with her golden hair, the
dark prettiiy arched eyebrows, and her
fairy like movement; from that hour
was not like my former self. She was
pretty, but not positively beautiful; one
could also not read any great depth Of
feeling or character in her deep gray eyes;
she was bright and versatile, but had no
especial talent and her conversational
powers were only ordinary. / knew that
her family were in very moderate circum-
stances, and therefore believed that she
would not object 10 marry some young
man OF fortune. / knew that she knew
= Il.
if / won her my fortune would have
much TO do with it; and yet | followed
her lile-yes, like a faithful little dog,
and could not tear myself from the magic
chains she threw around me- She seemed
to enjoy every possible luxury; how she
managed TO do so, | could never under
stand, for her extravaganza would almost
bankrupt a wealthy man. She did not
trouble herself about household affairs;
and / strongly suspected that her mother
had to exert every energy to keep up the
appearance Of ease and comfort before the
outside world, and that SIZE worked Sc
cratly 10 contriye that her daughter might
dress elegantly and becomingly.
do not know whether she really loved
me or L., sometimes / hoped SO from her
actions, but was never sure Of it. was,
Therefore, continually troubled with the
uncertainty, So that if a single day passed
withou, my seeing her and exchanging a
few words with her / was absolutely mis-
cradle. This state of affairs lasted for a
whole year. ! could not make up my
mind TO give her up, and was, also, not
willing exactly to take any decided step
which would bind me for life to the en-
chantress. She attended ball after bali,
went to all fashionable places of amuse-
ment, and each time she succeeded in
making her toilet more recherche than any
one else. For the coming ball she fancied
that she wanted Il black rose TO wear u
her golden hair; that would be novel,
would attract attention, admiration and
wonder, and would excite the envy Of
some.
But were there any black roses in exist
ence2 l asked myself when | thought Of
gratifying her wish. I had read of such
a rare flower being on exhibition at flower
expeditions but had never seen one. ard
all of my acquaintances whom l asked
about it said they did not think they
could be gotten. One of them said that
he had seen a rose so darby red that II
was almost black; but that was several
years ago. At all events, ii seemed that
they were very rare; and how was l to
obtain one in winter timeg / went to ut
least ten flower stores, six gardeners and
everywhere that l thought l had ghost
of chance 10 get it, but in vain.
Marie, the duUghter-cf the flower dealer
al Kings place, my pretty little friend
whom had known from her childhood,
said she had once, two reses almost
black, which she had sold to Graf Egous-
field, and which had caused a sensation ut
the court bali, and was afterward men
toned in the report of the ball on account
of their great rarity and beauty
Marie was a charming girl; young,
blooming, pretty, modest and loved by
everybody, and was said 10 be rich, for
her father, whose only child she was, had
the most extensive and prosperous bust
ness of the kind supported by the most
distinguished and wealthy class. Marie
regarded me with an interest which she
tried in vain 10 conceal. Her face would
turn pale and then would cover with
bushes when | would enter the store sud-
denly: and sometimes wnen she spoke TO
me her voice would uemble. And | could
see her pretty. delicate little hand culver
wher she delivered the flowers to me,
which l oftentimeS purchased more 10 get
Il chance TO feast my eyes On her pretty
face and 10 engage her in few words of
conversation than because | really wanted
the flowers
Eveline seemed to enjoy being with me-
She was quick and brilliant in repartee
She would sometimes press my hand
warmly when she would thank me for
some gift that | brought her, and my
hopes would climb to fever heat in con-
sequence But then she seemed so cold
and Indifferent toward me. when she
knew loved her. l found myself won
derinE how Marie would act if | were TO
take her hand and tell her l loved her.
Her little trembling, soft white hand
would ley in mine and her face But
what was I thinking about2 At Eastgate
there was another gardener. Ii was al
ready u o'clock, and at 8 Eveline must
have the black rose.
| called for cab. but there Were none
to be had, and it was showing, raining
and freezing. i must walk. | could not
send any enc, for must get them IN per-
son. In vain, in vain. After my long
walk / was doomed TO disappointment
again. The flower dealer did not have
them. It was already 2 O'Clock. What
could possibly do? How would like 10
crafty her wish and see her smile Of
pleasure! Could they be made? Nc: inn
possible But stop. Could the natural
roses not he colored? She would only
want them for one evening. So, with
Frightening hopes / FASTENED again 10
Kings place.
Marie, couple of dark red roses,
please said. entering the store,